Your skin undergoes many changes throughout life, and the hormonal fluctuations that come with it can sometimes mean that your skin’s oil production can be all out of balance. Skincare and hormones, however, are not exclusive entities – in fact, understanding the relationship between the two can help you to get to the root of your skin issues and get back on the path to clearer skin.
1. The Effects of Hormones on Skin Oils
Hormones play an important role in the production and regulation of the skin oils known as sebum. When hormone levels are balanced, the right amount of sebum is created and distributed over the face and other parts of the body.
If hormones become irregular, the production of sebum is also affected. One of the most common hormonal related conditions that affect skin oils is acne, which is an overproduction of sebum caused by an imbalance in hormones. Without the proper regulation of sebum production, pores can become blocked, leading to breakouts.
Other conditions can also be caused by hormone imbalances, such as:
- Dryness
- Flaky, itchy skin
- Oily patches
Often the only solution to these problems is to use topical creams and ointments. These are formulated to keep the skin hydrated and reduce the effects of hormones on the skin oils. However, some people opt for medical treatments that take advantage of the body’s natural ability to normalize hormone levels.
2. Getting to Know Your Skin – Understanding the Types of Oils
If you want to get the best out of your skincare routine, it helps to know the types of oils available for use. After all, as the saying goes – you are what you eat. So make sure you understand the various oils and their properties, to ensure you’re getting the right ones for your skin.
To start, you can find plant-based and animal-derived oils. These range from avocados, coconut, jojoba and olive, all the way through to fish, lanolin and shea. Each oil has its own unique set of qualities, and you can begin to create a custom-made routine to suit your lifestyle.
Here are the three primary types of oils you can look to include in your skincare routine:
- Humectant oils – ideal for moisturising the skin and providing hydration. Examples include avocado, glycerin, honey and hyaluronic acid.
- Emollient oils – which protect the skin from water loss and keep it soft and hydrated. Some examples include coconut, castor, hemp, pomegranate and shea.
- Occlusive oils – which form a barrier on the skin, locking in moisture. Examples include jojoba, mango, cocoa and olive.
By understanding the various types of oils, you will be able to choose the ones that are best suited to your skin type. This will ensure that you are using the right products for your needs.
3. Keeping Your Skin Healthy with the Right Skincare Routine
Having healthy skin isn’t just about appearances. It keeps you safe from many environmental elements while also helping prevent skin-related diseases. That’s why having the right skincare routine is so important! Read on for our tips on how to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
- Cleanse: Start every morning and evening with a gentle cleanser to get rid of dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.
- Exfoliate: Open up your pores and reduce surface buildup with an exfoliating scrub twice a week.
- Moisturize: After cleansing and exfoliating, lock in Hydration with a light moisturizer. Apply more generously after a shower.
Adapting your skincare routine to the changing seasons is also a great way to maintain healthy skin. For example, in the winter, protective creams and balms can help to seal in moisture in the dry air while reducing flaking and leaving skin looking radiant. During the summer, opt for lighter, oil-free formulations that won’t clog pores, allowing your skin to breathe more easily.
Finally, don’t forget to supplement your routine with regular sun protection. Apply a sunscreen or moisturizer with built-in SPF every morning and reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming or sweating.
4. The Benefits of Natural and Organic Ingredients
Writing Level: 5th grade
Using natural, organic ingredients in your recipes has many benefits. Here are some you should consider:
- No harsh chemicals or toxins are used, which makes it healthier and safer for you and your family.
- Ingredients with natural properties can enhance the flavor and texture of your recipes.
Organic ingredients are produced without artificial fertilizers and herbicides, meaning you get a higher quality product and you can be sure that the food is safe and nourishing for you and your family. You’ll also get the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what you’re eating.
Organic ingredients often have a higher nutrient content than those that are conventionally grown, as they contain healthier soil and a greater variety of nutrients that are beneficial to your health. Plus, you can trust that you’re getting the full nutritional value of your food.
5. Harnessing Your Hormones: Balancing Your Skin’s Oil Production
Understanding how hormones work is key to understanding why your body creates the amounts of oils that it does. To keep your skin balanced and free of acne, you need to be aware of how your hormones affect oil production. Here are four steps to help you balance oil production and keep your skin healthy:
- Know the signs – Abnormal hormonal fluctuations can lead to an overproduction of oils. Common signs include skin that is easily irritated and excessively oily.
- Avoid trigger foods – Eating foods that contain a lot of hormones can disrupt your hormones and trigger oil overproduction. These foods include fried and oily foods, overly processed foods, and foods with added sugars and additives.
- Get enough sleep – Strive for seven to eight hours of sleep each night to keep the body’s hormones in check. When you don’t get enough sleep, your hormones can become imbalanced, leading to increased oil production and acne breakouts.
- Be mindful of stress – High stress levels can throw your hormones out of balance, leading to increased oil production. Incorporate stress-relieving activities like yoga, meditation, or breath work into your day.
By following these steps, you can help tackle the root cause of acne and oil imbalances by regulating your hormones. Hormonal balance is essential for healthy, nourished skin, and following these tips can help keep your skin feeling and looking its best.
Keeping your skin’s balance of oil production is just one part of having healthy, radiant skin. With an understanding of the relationship between hormones and skincare, you can now confidently make the right decisions to take control of your hormones and skin health. Skincare and hormones may seem like an unlikely pair, but when you do the research and learn the facts, you can have beautiful, healthy skin with a little extra self-care.
